Shedding mechanism for looms.



Patented sept. I6, 1902.-

a. w. sTAFFurm'. l SHEDDING MECHANISM FOR LUOMS.

(Application led Jan. 2, i902.)

' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W W @fm M V15.709,453 Paten-tedsept. la, lem.

a-` w,` STAFFORD. l SHEDDING MECHANISM FOR LOUMS (Application ma nu. 2, m02.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

A Inveior yxvgw @ma q 0925-60 rn @ysa o., wAamNoToN o c No. 709,453.Y Patented sept. 16, |902.

` G.r w. STAFFORD. vSHEDDING MECHANISM FDR LUOMS.

(Appumien med Jan. 2, i902.)

4 Sheets-SheetY f1.

(No Model.)

WwW/65565.'

Ow-f3 f yn/m@ oQwH/eya 'mi Nonms PETERS co., PNoTo-LITHQ.. summon u. c.

` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. STAFFORD, OF WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE GEO. W. STAFFORD COMPANY, OF READVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, uA COR- PORATION OF NEW YORK.

SHEDDING IVIECHANlSNI FOR LOOlVlS.,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,453, dated September 16, 1902.

` Application filed January 2, 1962. Serial No. 88,038. (No model.)

' To all whom t mag/concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. STAFFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bayside, l/Varwick, in the county of Kent, State of Rhode Island, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in `Shedding Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. io The generalobjects of theinvention are lo produce a double-acting open-shed shedding mechanism or dobby for looms having great capacity, but of simpler and more inexpensive construction than the doubleacting shed- .15 ding mechanisms or dobbies which are at the present time in use, and to secure greaterA compactness in order that less space than heretofore required may be occupied by the same, it being important, for one thing, that zo the said mechanism or dobby should project aslittle as possible laterally from the `loom on which it is used, on account of the closeness with which looms are placed relative to each other in the weave-rooms of mills.

The invention has been designed with various special objects in view in addition, and these willbe madeapparent in the course of the following description.

I have illustrated my invention in the aco companying drawings, in which- Figure l shows in side elevation a doubleacting shedding mechanism or dobby embodying my invention. Fig. 2 shows the same in plan. Fig is a detail view, in vertical section, on line 3 3, Fig. 2. Figs. t to 9 are de tail views on the order of diagrams illustrating the action of the said double-acting shedding mechanism or dobby. Fig. l() shows another form of the invention.

4o Having reference to the drawings, framework pertaining to` my improved dobby is shown at a. This may beof any suitable form and construction to t the requirements of use and the views of builders and users.

l employ, as heretofore in double-acting `(lobbies, a pair of lifters b b', reciprocating in guides b2 b3 in framework a and working oppositely with relation to each other. Any

suitable arrangements for actuating the said 5o lifters may be employed. Preferably the lifters` are connected, respectively, by the rods b" b5 with the upper and lower arms, respectively, ot the rockers c6127, whichare xed upon the opposite ends of a rock-shaft bs, one

of the said rockers-as, for example, bfi-having an arm b9, with which in practice are connected power-transmitting devices (not shown) for the actuation of the rockers and litters in proper timing. This is an old and wellknown arrangement in common use. 6o Any other suitable arrangement may be substituted.

The hooks which l employ in connection with the oppositely-rnoving liftersb ZJ in carrying my invention into effect are designated c. Only one such hook is shown in the main views of the drawings, togetherwith the parts which are appartenant to said hook or necessarily cooperate therewith, the remainder being omitted for the sake of clearness in the 7o drawings. Each hook c is furnished with an upper shoulder, as at c', to engage with the upper lifter b, and with a lower shoulder, as at c2, to engage with the lower lifter b". The pattern-chain at (L, which is shown passing around the pattern-cylinder d', controls the engagement of the hook c with the respective lifters b and b through the agency oi a pair of pattern fingers or levers e e, needles e2 e3, and a lever e, which is mounted upon a piv- 8o otal su pport Needle e3 intel-venes between the upper side ot' the inner or shorter end of pattern-nutzer e and th-e under side of the hook c. Then the outer weighted end of said pattern-linger is permitted to occupy its lower position by the absence of a peg or pen from the portion of the pattern-chain which is presented beneath the same, the innerend of said pattern-finger holds needle e3 raised. When the hook c occupies its normal or re- 9o tracted position, as in Fig. 4, the lowered position ot' the finger e and the resulting raised position of needle `e3 holds the hook c elevated into the intermediate position of said hook, as in said figure, in which position the hook clears both lifters l) and b and is not engaged by either thereof. A pegror pin d2 on thelpattern-chain coming beneath the pattern-finger e just prior to the outgoing movement of the lower lifter raises its Ico y ter, so as to occupy the position shown in Fig. 6.

Needle e2 is linked to the inner end of the pattern-finger e and'to the shorter arm ofthe lever c4. The other or longer arm of said lever e4 extends under the hook c. When J the outer weighted end of the pattern-finger e is `unsupported by a pegor pin on the pattern-chain` the lever e4 is permitted-to occupy its normal and inoperative position. (Shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9.) When the pattern-finger e is acted upon by a peg or pin of the pattern-chain prior tothe outgoing movement of the upper lifter b, the needle or wire e2 transmits movement to lever e, and the latter acts to raise hook C, so as to place the shoulder c' thereof in position to be engaged by the upper lifter b in the next outgoing movement of the latter.' (See Fig. 8.) It will be perceived that through the devices described the ihook c may be caused to become engaged and actuated by either of the litters b and b to raise the corresponding harnessyframe whenever required in shedding.

the purpose of enabling the harness-frame to be kept lifted for any required number of picks in succession I combine with the hook c a holding-hookfand providea holding-bar g, with which said holding-hookfengages as the hook c reaches the extreme position to which it is" moved by the action of the litters. In order that the said engagement of the holding-hook f with thel holding-bar g maybe regulaled and controlled, the holding-hook is placed under the controlof the needle e3 aforesaid, the said needle having a projection or shoulder at e6, Figs. 4 and l8, which extends under the holding-hook f. When needle e3 occupies an elevated position, its projection orshoulder e holds the holding-hookf raised out ot' engagement with holding-bar g. (See Figs. 4 and 8.) When needle e3 is in its depressed position occasioned by the ac tion of a peg or pin on the pattern-chain against the pattern-linger e', it lowers the holding-hook finto position to engage with holding-bar g.

(See Fig. 6.)

From the foregoing it will be perceived that a Apeg or pin under the pattern-finger e at the time of the beginning of the outgoing movement of the lower lifter b' will cause hook c to be lowered into position to be engaged by said lower lifter b', as iu Fig. 5, so that the hook c will be carried outward with the latter from the position of Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 6, thereby raising' the corresponding harnessframe. If there is a peg or pin beneath said pattern-linger c when the said lower lifterbl begins to return, the holding-hook will be permitted to engage with the holding-bar, and thereby the harness-frame will be kept ele- For vated. `If at such time, however, there is no such peg or pin beneath the pattern-linger acting to tilt the said pattern-iinger and drop the needle e3, the shoulder or projection e of the needle e3 by its contact with the under side of the holding-hook j' will raise the said holding-hook fout of engaging position above the holding-bar g. Y (See Fig. 7.) Theupper extremity of the needle e3 at this time will not quite reach the portion of hook c im mediately above it, for a suitable amount of clearance is provided for between the under surface of hook c and the upper end of the needle e3. To secure such clearance, the pivot of hook c is elevated suiiiciently with relation 1o the upper end of said needle so that thereby the under surface of the hook c, adjacent the pivot thereof, is raised somewhat relative to lower lifter b. It will be perceived in Fig. 7 that thehook cat this time inclines upwardly from the lower lifter b toward its inner end, pivoted at c3, so that the portion thereof now above needle e3 is out of the reach of the latter.- Consequently hook cwill remain engaged with lower lifter b and will be permitted `to move inward with the lower lifter b, causing the uplifted harness-frame to descend. Any

previously-upliftcd harness-frame which has been maintained in an elevated position for one or more picks through the engagenlent of the corresponding holding-hook fwith the holding-bar g may be caused to descend at the time of the ingoing movement of the lower lifter b simply by the absence of a pattern peg or pin from under its pattern-finger e' at the time when the lower lifter completes its outgoing movement and begins to return. This absence will permit the pattern-finger e' to assume the position which is shown in Fig. 7, raising needle e3 and causing shoulder eof the latter to uplift holding-hook ffrom the holding-bar g. A peg or pin under the pattern-finger e at the time of the beginning of theoutgoing movement of the upper lifter Z) will cause lever e4 to be turned so as to raise hook c into position to be engaged by the said upper lifter, as in Fig. 8, so that the hook c will be carried outward with the latter, thereby raisingthe corresponding harness-frame. If there is no peg or pin beneath the other pattern-finger e when the nppervlifter b begins its ingoing movement, the hook c will return with the said upper lifter; but if there is a peg or pin under the said pattern-finger e' then the holding-hook f will be permitted to engage with the holding-bar `g, and the hook c will be held thereby in its outer position, with the corresponding harness-frame elevated. To the'end that a previously-uplifted harness-frame which has been maintained in an elevated position through the engagement of the corresponding holdinghookf with the holding-bar g may be caused to descend at the time oi' the ingoing movement of the upper lifter b when necessary, I provide the devices which I will now proceed to describe.

loo

i lifter b'.

Athis shown WhatI terma hook-shift bar.

It is' arranged to eoact with the hook c, and preferably, although not necessarily in all cases, it is locatedat the outer limit ofthe movementof the said hooks and is caused to engage with the extreme outer portions of the said hooks. Figst and 7 show the same in its depressed position below the free extremityof a hook c, which has just been drawn outward by the action of the outgoing lower Ward prior to the completion of each outgoing movement ofthe upper lifter b into the positionshown in Figs. l, 4, 5, and 9, and in beingl thus moved it carries into position to be engaged by the `sa'id upper' lifter as ,the latter reaches its extreme outward position `all hooks c which occupy their outer position. and are not already engaged by the upper lifter. The timing of the parts andextent ot' the outgoing movement of the upper lifter `preferably are such as in the present embodiment of the invention to cause the hooks c which are acted upon by the hook-shift bar and lifted thereby to become engaged With'` the upper lifterjustpriorto the completion `ot' the outward movement of the latter. Thereby the hooks thus lifted and engaged are caused to partake ofa slight portion of the outgoing movement of the upper lifter, Whichrelieves thepressureof the engaging portions of the corresponding holding-hooks f against the holding-bar g, This renders the said holding-hooks ffree to be moved by the action of the corresponding pattern-.fingers c in case the absence of pegs or pins from beneath the said patternringerse indicatesthat the corresponding `elevated harness-.f rames shoulddescend. Aswill be obvious to thosefore, AWhile for some reasons and purposes I prefer theillustrated `means and manner of effectuating fthe relief, I do not restrict myself in all cases thereto. In Fig. 9 the absence of a peg or pin beneath pattern-finger eA has permitted the said pattern-finger to raiseneedle c5 and lift holding-hookf above the holding-bar g. The corresponding hook cbeingin engagement with upper lifter b, the saidhook will accompany the said lifter during the ingoingmovement of the latter in consequenceof the spring which acts todraw down the harness-frame, (not. shown,) with whichfsaid hook cis connected, andthereby said harness-framelwill be lowered from its elevated position to its depressed position.

`The mannerof mounting and operating the hook-shift bar h may vary in practice. In the present embodimcntof ,theinvention it is mounted `upon a rock-shaft 7L', which is journaled in the side frames of the framing o.

This. hook-shift bar is moved upof the dobby, and said rock-shaft h' is arrangedto be actuated in one direction by the upper lifter b in the outgoing movement of the latter and in the other direction by the unbalanced weight of the hook 'shift bar. Thus the rock-shaft h has attached to one end thereof an upwardly-extending arm h2, and to the corresponding end of the upper lifter is attached a horizontally-projecting arm or bunter h3, which encounters said arm h2 as the upper lifternears the outer extreme of its outgoing movement. This affords a simple means of actuating the hook-shiftbar. In the present construction the upward swing ofthe hook-shift bar carries it partially out from under the extremity of hook c after the hook has become seated against the` upper lifter b, as shown in Fig. 9. The said extremity is shaped as shown in said Fig. 9, so as to accommodate this portion of the movement of the hook-shift bar. This, however, is n ot amaterial feature. v

It is important that during the inward movement of the hook c with the ingoing upper lifter b from the position which 'is Arepresented in Fig. 9 the companion `holding-hook fshould be so guided as `to prevent its engaging shoulder f' from encountering the shoulder or projection c6 of needlee. During the first part of this movement of `hooks 'c andj' the said shoulder' or projection e supports the said holding-hook f. v To `theforegoing end means is provided for uplifting the hook f until after shoulder f' thereof has passed shoulder or projection c6 ot' needle e3. The desired result may be attained in` more than one way without departing beyond the limits of my invention; but preferablyI prolong the hook-f beyond its shoulder and form the prolongation thereof with al can1-` surface, as shown at f2, which by engagement with a proper abutment, here relatively fixed and constitutedby the holding-bar g, causes the hook j' to riserelativelyto the shoulder or projection c of the `needle c3 `sufficiently to enable shoulderfof the hook to clearsaid shoulder or projection c6. v

The manner of combining ahook c and its companion holding-hook f with each other and connecting the same with a harnessframe may vary in practice. In Figs,` l to 9 I have represented the said parts as pivotally connected at their inner ends, atei andj'g, `to the outer end of a transmitter that is constituted by a slide-bar i, whichlastishoolred at. its inner end, as at t, to receive cording (not shown) or other connections leading to the corresponding harness-frame. (Not shown.) lVhen slide-.bars i are used, the required V- shed in the warps is provided for by transmitting a greater throw from rocker b to the corresponding ends of the, lifters b b than from rocker 197 to the other ends of said lifters. This is effected by connecting the rods h4 b5 with the arms of rocker bfi at greater distances from 4the axis of rock-shaft bf than `in the case of rocker t7. Holding-bar g, back IOO IIO

girth by which the inward movement ot the hooksand slide-bart' is limited, and hookshitt bar h are arranged in transversely-inclinedk positions corresponding with those ot the two litters at the opposite extremes of ment than the slides ot the other views and inasmuch as all the required variation in the extent ot movement ot the respective harness-trames that is necessary for the production ot a V-shed admits of being secured by applying the harness-cording to notches at dierent distances trom the tulcra ot the said harness-levers. This'latter capacity renders unnecessary the angular or inclinedv position of back girth :I: and hook-shift bar h and ythe angular swinging movement ot the litters which are required in the case of the construction that is illustrated in Figs. land 2.

, I claim as my invention*- l. In double-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the two litters, the hook between said litters, having engaging shoulders at its opposite edges, and adapted toy be operated by either litter to elevate the corresponding harness-,trame when required,

pattern devices to control the engagement ot the said hook with the required litter, and separate holding means tor locking under the control ot the pattern devices said harnessframe in its elevated position, substantially as described.

2. In'double-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the two litters, the hook between said litters, having engaging shoulders at its opposite edges, and adapted to be operated by either lifter to elevate the corresponding harness-trame, pattern devices to control the engagement ot the said hook with the respective litters, and, a holdinghook, controlled by the said pattern devices, and adapted vto lock the harness-frame in its elevated position, lsubstantially as described.

3. Indouble-'acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the alternatelyacting litters, the hook between said litters and having'engaging shoulders at its opposite edges, the holding-hook partaking ot the movements ot the first-mentioned hook in shedding, the holding-bar cooperating with said holding-hook, and, pattern devices to control the engagement ot the first-mentioned hook with the respective litters and also control the engagement ot the said holding-hook with said holding-bar,` substantially as described.

4. In double-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the alternately,

acting litters, the hook between said litters and having engaging shoulders atits opposite edges, the movable transmitter adapted to be connected with the corresponding harnesstrame and having said hook movably connected therewith, the holding-hook also movably connected with the said transmitter, the holding-bar coperating'with said holdinghook, and pattern devices controllingtheengagement of the first-mentioned hook with the respective litters and also controlling the engagement ot the said holding-hook with said holding-bar, substantially as described.

5. In double-acting 'shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the alternatelyacting litters, the hook between said litters and having engaging shoulders at its opposite edges,the harness-lever having said hook conf' nected thereto, the holding-hook also connected to the said harness-lever, the holdingbar cooperating with said holding-hook, and pattern devices controlling the engagement ot the first-mentioned hook with the respective litters and also controlling the engagement of the said holding-hook with said holding-bar, substantially as described.

6. In double-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the two litters Working alternately, the hook between said litters having shoulders at its opposite edges for engagement with thel respective litters, a pattern-surface, a pattern-tinger coacting with said pattern-surface and means intermediate the same and said hook to control the engagement ot the saidhook with one ot said litters, and a second pattern-tinger coacting with the said pattern-surface and means intermediate the same and the said hook to control the engagement thereof withl the other litter, substantially as described.

7. In a double-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the two litters acting alternately, the double hook between said litters, a pattern-surface, a pair ot patternfingers, a needle between one ot said pattern-fingers and vsaid hook, a needle and lever between theother ot said pattern-iingers and said hook, substantially as described.

8. In double-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the two litters, the double hook between said litters, a patternsurface, a pattern-finger and means intermediate the same and said hook to control the engagement ot the said hook with one of said litters, a second pattern-tingerand means intermediate the same and the said hook to control the engagement thereof with the other litter, and means to hold the harness-trame which is operated by the said hook locked in the elevated position thereot, substan tially as described.

9.' In double-acting shedding mechanism tor looms, in combination, two litters acting alternately, a double hook between said litti istructed to cause said hooks to occupy norers and adapted to be engaged with either lifter, a holding-hook, a pattern-surface, a pair of pattern-fingers and means for operating`t-heholding-l1ook therefrom and also` y transmitting movement to the double hook from the respective pattern-fingers, in oppo `site directions, respectively, to occasion the engagement of said double hook with the respective litters, substantially asdescribed.

10. In double-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, two lifters acting i alternately, a double hook between said lifters, a movable transmitter adapted to be connected with a harness-frame and having said hook movablyconnected therewith, a holding-hook also movably connected with the said transmitter, the relatively stationary abutment engaged by said holding-hook,

a pattern-surface, a pair ot pattern-fingers and lmeans for operating the holding-hook therefrom and also transmitting movement to the double hook from the respective pati tern-fingers, in opposite directions, respectively, to occasion the engagement of said double hook with the respective litters, substantially as described.

, 11. In double-acting shedding mechanism .for looms, in con'lbination, two litters acting alternately, a double hook between said lit'ters, a harness-lever having said hook connected thereto, a holding-hook also connected to the said harness-lever, the relatively stationary abutment engaged by said holding hook, a pattern-surface, a `pair of patterniingersand means for operating the holdinghook therefrom and also transmitting move `ment to the double hook from the respective pattern-fingers, in opposite directions, respectively, to occasion the engagement ot said double hook with the respective liftcrs, substantially as described.

12. In adouble-acting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, two lifters acting alternately, a double hook between said litti lower litters acting alternately, the hooks between said litters, the pattern devices conmally an intermediate disengaged position, and arranged to indicate the hooks into engagement with the respective litters at the required times forthe elevation of the harnessframe, and means independent ot` the pattern devices acting upon the said hooks to connect 14, In d'oubleacting shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the Lipper and lower lift-ers acting alternately, the hooltscooperating with the said Iifters, the pattern devices provided with a pattern-surface having pegs or pins to indicate for the elevated position of the harness-frames, apd means independent ot' the pattern devices to raise into engagement with the lupper lifter at the outer extreme of its stroke the hooks pertaining to uplifted harness-frames and not already engaged with said lifter, to thereby connect with the latter hooks which should accompany said lit'ter in its ingoing movement, substantially as described. i

15. lu a double-acting shedding mechanism for looms,'in combination, the two lifters acting alternately, the series of hooks coperating with the said litters, locking means whereby the harness-frames may be held in their elevated position for two or more picks, pattern devices controlling the engagement oi' said series of hooks with the litters to occasion the elevation of the harness-frames, and the action of the said locking means, and meansirnlependent ot' the pattern devices, to connect with the upper lit'ter at the outer extreme of its` lilt the hooks pertaining to elevated harness-frames which should accompany said upper lit'ter in its ingoiug movement, substantially as described.

16. `In a double-actingsheddingmechanism for looms, ir combination, the two liftersacting alternately, the series of hooks coperat ing with the said litters, locking means whereby the harness-frames may be held in their elevated positions for two or more picks, pattern devices controlling the engagementot' said series ot hooks with the litters to occa sion the elevation of the harness-frames, and

the action of the said locking means, and the hook-shift bar to place the hooks pertaining to elevated harness-frames in `position to engage with the upper lifter, substantially as described.

17. In adouble-actingshedding mechanism for looms, in combination, the two litters acting alternately, the series of hooks coperating with the said litters, the holding-hooks, the pattern devices whereby the engagement of the hooks of said series with the respective lifters is controlled, and also the action of said holding-hooks, and means independent of the pattern devices to connect with the up-` per lifter at the outer eXtreme of its litt the hooks pertaining to elevated harness-frames which should accompany said upper lifter in its ingoing movement, substantially as described.

18. Inadouble-actingshedding'mechanism for looms", in combination, the two litters acting alternately, the series of hooks coperating with the said lifters, the holding-hooks,

the pattern devices whereby the engagement of the hooks of said series with the respective litters is controlled and also the action of said holding-hooks, and the hoolcshift bar to place IOS) its

the hooks pertaining to elevated harnessframes in position to engage with the Vupper lifter-bar, substantially as described.

19. In shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, a hookv adapted to be connected operatively with a harness-frame, a lifter to operate said hook, pattern devices to control the. engagement of said hook by said lifter, a holding-bar, and a holding-hook partaking of the movements in shedding of the hook, first mentioned, engaging with said holdingbar undercontrol of said pattern devices and provided with means to cause its shoulder to clear in the receding movement the member of the pattern devices which contacts with the holding-hook, substantially as described.

20. In shedding mechanism for looms, in combination, a hook adapted to be connected operatively with a harness-frame, a lifter to operate said hook, pattern devices to control the engagement ofy said hook by said lifter, a holding-bar, and a holding-hook partaking of the movements in shedding of the hook first mentioned, engaging with said holdingbar under controlof said pattern devices, and provided with lthe cam to cause its shoulder to clear in the receding movement the member of the pattern devices which contacts with the holding-hook, substantially as described.

2l.' In shedding mechanism for looms, in combination', a hook adapted to be connected operatively with a harness-frame, a lifter to operate said hook, pattern devices controlling the engagement of said hook by said lifter and including a movable needle, a holding-bar, a holding-hook coperating with said holdingbar, engaged by said needle, and having a cam-face which in the rearward movement of the holding-hook causes the shoulder thereof to clear the said needle, substantially as described. l

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

. GEORGE W. STAFFORD.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. RANDALL, WILLIAM A. COPELAND. 

